Anwar claims he still has majority and other news you may have missed

KINI ROUNDUP | Here are key headlines you may have missed, in brief.

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1. Despite a string of defections from his party, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim claims he has an “adequate” majority in Parliament and talks with Umno are still in their infancy. However, confirmation of the PKR-Umno discussions prompted pointed questions from PKR’s ally Amanah.

2. Meanwhile, videos of former PKR vice-president Dr Xavier Jeyakumar from last year have resurfaced on social media platforms since his defection. He is seen in the videos criticising the present Perikatan Nasional government and saying that party-hopping should not be allowed.

3. Pahang’s Jelai forest is safe from rare earth mining activities, for now, after the Department of Environment rejected a mining company’s proposed terms for an environmental impact assessment for the project.

4. Movement control order restrictions are being loosened further as the Covid-19 situation improves. Perak – as well as portions of Kedah and Negeri Sembilan – are now placed under the recovery movement control order, while Ramadan and Aidilfitri bazaars would now be allowed to operate.

5. Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government will not repeal the RM10,000 fine for the violations of standard operating procedures (SOPs), but may reduce it upon appeal.

6. Police reports have been lodged against several ministers for allegedly breaching SOPs by crossing state lines to attend a wedding reception over the weekend.

7. Top Glove has been charged in court with 10 counts of failing to provide workers’ accommodations as certified by the Labour Department. The company has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

8. Lawmakers in Sabah and Sarawak have urged the federal government to withdraw its appeal against the High Court ruling allowing the use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims in Malaysia.

9. Klang MP Charles Santiago has launched an online petition urging the government to provide rental subsidies for local businesses that have been badly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

10. The Finance Ministry is studying new ways to expand the government’s revenue base, including the possibility of reinstating the GST. Meanwhile, the World Bank said Malaysia’s lack of foreign investment, compared with its regional neighbours, indicates a need for structural reforms.